Just wondering are we better pricewise to get gas boiler and fire serviced with Bord Gais or would it cost much the same to get an independent service from a reputable serviceman.
Bord Gais service engineers essentially are independent. They're contractors who receive work from BG and will usually carry out work for their own customers (legitimately not as a nixer). They're also human beings, and are susceptable to taking the same short cuts as anyone else, though now all RGII registered gas installers are held responsable for their own work and are obliged to certify your appliances and installation.
You will find better value moving away from Bord Gais and using the list of Registered Gas Installers on www.rgii.ie to search for a local Gas engineer (key in your Dublin postcode or county) although BG will allow you to pay on your bill which means you don't have to hand over cash on the day. My only issue with the list itself is there is no description of the type of work the company / individual undertakes or specialises in and most will claim to be proficient in every aspect of Gas work from pipe installations to fault finding though, tend to be stumped on the fault finding end (and not too "observant" on the servicing either).